Caution Required In Interpreting Single Transferable Vote (STV) Results in BC Electoral Referendum

Despite the apparent support for STV that was shown in yesterdays election, people should be very cautious in how they interpret the results, according to Dr. Adam Di Paula, Senior Vice President of NRG Nordic Research Group.

Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) May 19, 2005 -- Despite the apparent support for STV that was shown in yesterdays election, people should be very cautious in how they interpret the results, according to Dr. Adam Di Paula, Senior Vice President of NRG Nordic Research Group.

In yesterdays election referendum ballot, about 57% of those who voted on the question supported STV, while 43% voted against it according to Elections BC results as of May 18, 2005 at 1:30 pm. In addition, in almost all BC constituencies, a majority of those who voted on the question support STV. For approval, the threshold requires that 60% of all those who vote approve the measure and that a majority of voters in 48 of the 79 BC constituencies also approve it.

A quick glance at the results makes it appear that a majority of British Columbians understand and support STV, but in reality, this is not the case," said Di Paula. British Columbians are unaware of what the proposed new voting system is. In polling we reported just days before the election, only 32% of respondents could name 'STV - the majority of people didnt know what it was. He added: 'NRG did three polls on this issue, asking voters in BC about their awareness, knowledge and support for STV. While general awareness of the referendum did increase significantly among voters during the course of the campaign, reaching 82% in our last poll, understanding of the proposed system itself remained low. In fact, only 11% of respondents felt 'very informed about STV."

Di Paula concluded by saying that much of the support for the STV system can be interpreted as a protest vote. When people who have neither heard of, nor understand, STV end up voting for it, you can only surmise that they are expressing an overall dissatisfaction with the status quo. More than anything else, we believe that this explains the results of the referendum. Our firm will be conducting more research on this issue to determine why voters voted the way they did."

Survey Results
Full survey results available at www.nordicresearch.net.

Contact Information
Dr. Adam Di Paula
Senior Vice President
Nordic Research Group
Tel: (604) 676 -- 5641
Email: ad@nordicresearch.net

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